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HB 123 · 2025 · House · Municipal and County Government Committee

Carbon sequestration moratorium and study

AI-generated

(Second New Title) defining pre-sequestration timber tax revenue, establishing a moratorium on carbon sequestration and establishing a commission to study the effects of carbon sequestration in New Hampshire forests upon state and local tax revenue, effective forest management, and the health of New Hampshire’s logging industry.

Defines pre-sequestration timber tax revenue with payment in lieu of taxes, establishes a moratorium on carbon sequestration contracts, and creates a commission to study the effects of carbon sequestration on tax revenue, forest management, and the logging industry.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 22, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Defines pre-sequestration timber tax revenue and allows for payment in lieu of taxes on such revenue. II. Establishes a moratorium on carbon sequestration contracts. III. Establishes a commission to study carbon sequestration programs.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“If such standing wood or timber is taxed under the provision of this section, such taxes shall be a credit against any yield tax later imposed.”
RSA 79:5
“There is established a commission to study the impacts of the growing practice of dedicating tracts of New Hampshire forests to sequestration of carbon emissions.”
RSA 79:32
“Two members of the house of representatives, one of whom shall be from the ways and means committee and one of whom shall be at large, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.”
RSA 79:33
“The commission shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library before November 1, 2027.”
RSA 79:36

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Arnold DavisRPrime
  • Rep. Brian ColeRVice Chair· Housing
  • Rep. Mike OuelletRVice Chair· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Sen. Howard PearlRVice Chair· Energy and Natural Resources

Also: Rep. David RochefortR, Rep. James TierneyR, Rep. Michael MurphyR, Rep. Sean DurkinR

Public testimony

44 signed in online · 10 wrote testimony

18% support82% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“My name is Paul Grenier and I reside in Berlin. I am a 32 year public servant in Berlin's government, I have served 16 consectutive years as a City Councilor, followed by 14 years of consecutive service as Berlin's mayor and now on my second year as a City Councilor.…”
— Paul Grenier, Berlin · City of Berlinsupports
“The idea of carbon sequestration makes sense, but the problem is in how it is implemented.…”
— Nick Germana, Keene · Cheshire 15supports
“As a resident of Pittsburg, NH, and a member of the selectboard, I have witnessed the loss of revenue due to the reduction of timber tax revenues.…”
— Douglas Ahlstrin, Pittsburgsupports
“There are very few landowners statewide currently enrolled in carbon credit programs. The only major economic impact the Department is aware of is occurring in Coos County.…”
— Dan Bergeron, Concord · New Hampshire Fish and Game Departmentopposes
“I oppose this bill and do not believe that any landowner should be taxed on their still standing trees. This type of legislation would allow a logging company or individual that wants these trees to push for this tax to financially force someone to cut their trees.…”
— Rebecca Turcotte, Hennikeropposes
“Absolutely not. It is unconstitutional for a public school district to send taxpayer funds to a private religious school. Should my local district enter into a contract like this, I would strongly consider a legal challenge. Thank you.”
— Alex Campbell, Merrimackopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 10, 2025Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government3:33:14–3:36:072m 53slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 18, 2025Public hearingHouse Municipal and County GovernmentWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamPublic Hearing on non-germane Amendment # 2025-0153h
  • Mar 3, 2025Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government4:53:51–4:56:282m 37slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0654h (NT); Executive Session
  • Mar 13, 2025Floor debateHouse floor7:31:12–7:44:3813m 26slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0654h — adopted, roll call 197-158; Amendment # 2025-0654h (NT) — adopted, voice vote; Lay HB123 on Table (Rep. Osborne) — failed, division 171-185
  • May 6, 2025Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resourcesfrom 2:20:58located in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 15, 2025Floor debateSenate floor1:15:33–1:16:391m 6slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2133s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-2133s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2025-2133s — adopted, voice vote
  • May 21, 2025Public hearingSenate Ways and Meansfrom 7:37located in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 22, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 12, 2025Floor debateHouse floor2:03:56–2:09:395m 43slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2133s (Rep. Pauer) — adopted, division 268-74
  • Jun 26, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Municipal and County Government HJ 2 P. 6
  2. Feb 10, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/10/2025 01:00 pm LOB 301-303
  3. Feb 18, 2025HousePublic Hearing on non-germane Amendment # 2025-0153h: 02/18/2025 09:50 am LOB 201
  4. Mar 3, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2025 01:00 pm LOB 301-303
  5. Mar 3, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0654h (NT) 03/03/2025 (Vote 18-0; CC)
  6. Mar 6, 2025HouseRemoved from Consent (Reps. Kuttab, Popovici-Muller, Boehm, Turcotte, Scully, Perez, D. Kelley, Tom Mannion, Seaworth, Granger) 03/06/2025 HJ 8 P. 2
  7. Mar 13, 2025HouseLay HB123 on Table (Rep. Osborne): MF DV 171-185 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 93
  8. Mar 13, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0654h (NT): AA VV 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 92
  9. Mar 13, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0654h: MA RC 197-158 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 95
  10. Mar 13, 2025HouseReferred to Ways and Means 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 95
  11. Mar 20, 2025HouseReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 03/20/2025 HJ 9 P. 18
  12. Mar 20, 2025SenIntroduced 03/20/2025 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 9
  13. May 6, 2025SenHearing: 05/06/2025, Room 103, SH, 09:00 am; SC 20
  14. May 15, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2133s, 05/15/2025; Vote 4-1; CC; SC 21A
  15. May 15, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-2133s, AA, VV; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  16. May 15, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-2133s, MA, VV; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  17. May 15, 2025SenReferred to Ways and Means, 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  18. May 21, 2025SenHearing: 05/21/2025, Room 100, SH, 09:00 am, on proposed amendment # 2025-2214s; SC 22
  19. May 22, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/22/2025; Vote 3-0; CC; SC 22A
  20. May 22, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/22/2025; SJ 14
  21. Jun 12, 2025HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2133s (Rep. Pauer): MA DV 268-74 06/12/2025 HJ 17 P. 14
  22. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  23. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 59
  24. Jul 15, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/15/2025; Chapter 164; eff. I. Sec 4 eff 11/01/2027 II. Rem eff 07/01/2025 HJ 18

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.